With everyone gearing up for the next big console war, tensions are rising between Microsoft and Sony.

AllthingsD asked Sony Computer Entertainment America’s President and CEO Jack Tretton about the Xbox 360′s lead in the US, and its multimedia focus. His reply, viewable below, seems like a perfect response to previous comments by Microsoft’s Yusuf Mehdi, who said that the PlayStation 3 “isn’t as good of an entertainment console” as the 360 something apparently “everybody knows.” Tretton mentioned how the PS3 has caught up with the 360 in sales (worldwide) despite its launch problems, the fact that the PS3 is the most popular Netflix device and that Sony’s focus is gaming:

We look at the market in worldwide terms, and every market is extremely important to us. The facts are, we debuted the PlayStation 3 at $599, which was an extremely steep price barrier for a lot of consumers. And we debuted a year after Microsoft, but on a worldwide basis, we’ve sold the same, if not more, devices. I think we’re at 77 million sold right now — it’s basically splitting hairs. Despite all that, our message has been extremely well-received around the world.

Plus, if you look at multimedia services, we’re the No. 1 streaming device when it comes to Netflix, not Xbox. They’re trying to — I don’t really know what they’re trying to do. I’d rather not comment on their strategy. But we’re trying to say we’re all about the gamers and, by the way, there’s multimedia out there. I think the people who tuned in to see this live streaming event, from all around the world, were watching to see the gaming.

It’s Tretton’s comments on Sony’s strategy going forward that is most interesting. Microsoft has repeatedly hyped up the multimedia functions of the 360, and how it is the ultimate entertainment device, with many feeling this focus came at the detriment of core gaming. One of the key engineers in charge of Microsoft’s original Xbox development team, Nat Brown, recently attacked the company as he feels that their core product has been abandoned:

My gripe, my head-smack, is not that the broader content/entertainment business isn’t where you want to go with a living-room-connected device. It absolutely is. Indeed, this was the point of xBox, that was why it was the Trojan horse for the living room, where we could land and be welcomed by millions of console customers with more hardware and better software and network connectivity than the non-console devices (webtv, cable set-tob-boxes) we had been pursuing. No, more and better content was always the point and the plan. My gripe is that, as usual, Microsoft has jumped its own shark and is out stomping through the weeds planning and talking about far-flung future strategies in interactive television and original programming partnerships with big dying media companies when their core product, their home town is on fire, their soldiers, their developers, are tired and deserting, and their supply-lines are broken.

When the PS3 launched, Sony suffered similar problems when trying to advertise the device. They wanted people to see it as a “Computer Entertainment Device” that could do anything, but quickly realized that the lack of focus was more confusing and off-putting than beneficial. Equally, whenever Sony spends too much time showing off new apps in conferences, the complaints are immediate.

The strategy of “all about the gamers and, by the way, there’s multimedia out there” does seem like the most promising one for gamers, although Sony will certainly have to put their money where their mouth is and continue to announce a bunch of exclusive games.

The person that leaked many of the PS4 details that were confirmed yesterday also said that the PS4 would have less RAM dedicated to OS and multimedia applications, while the 720 will have far more. What do you think? Do you want an all-round-awesome-box or a console that put games first and foremost?

Gloves are off! I agree with Nat's analysis...I know there are a few who will dispute this, but I'm afraid its the general consensus across the industry.

But we’re trying to say we’re all about the gamers and, by the way, there’s multimedia out there.

Bingo!

That's exactly what Sony did at the conference. All the new OS are just the icing on the cake. And I love that direction.

It's the way MS used to be in and I can't help but feel that they have the Kinect gleem in their eyes more than ever and it's due to Nintendo's WiiU failing to capture the casuals that skyrocketed the Wii's sales.

Bingo! That's exactly what Sony did at the conference. All the new OS are just the icing on the cake. And I love that direction. It's the way MS used to be in and I can't help but feel that they have the Kinect gleem in their eyes more than ever and it's due to Nintendo's WiiU failing to capture the casuals that skyrocketed the Wii's sales. It's crazy how the sales have caught up too.

This. I like how Sony puts games as the focal point and the multimedia stuff is as you said "icing on the cake." And yep it is crazy how the sales have caught up.

Things that "do everything" lose my interest, more often then not a dedicated machine is better then the "Swiss army knife" machine. The only thing my PS3 does besides games is netflix, and thats all I need.

Awesome. He said something similar in a forbes article yesterday. He basically said that streaming services are great and all, but it's all about the games. It's all about the games for me, so I love hearing this. Heck, most early adopters of the PS4 are getting it for the games.

If Microsoft wants to focus on being more of a media device/ad device (that causes your console to freeze) on their next console than a gaming device, have at it. It's the reason 360 has sucked lately and why I haven't even touched mine in a while.

Awesome. He said something similar in a forbes article yesterday. He basically said that streaming services are great and all, but it's all about the games. It's all about the games for me, so I love hearing this. Heck, most early adopters of the PS4 are getting it for the games. If Microsoft wants to focus on being more of a media device and ad device on their next console than a gaming device, have at it. It's the reason 360 has sucked lately and why I haven't even touched mine in a while.

I agree. My gold expires on March 3rd and then I'm done. The only thing I've used my 360 for as of late was to watch the Sony event stream via the IGN app.

Damn taking shots already. I love the interviews that come out of generation beginnings. There are so many great points that are brought up. There are many that say they like the new direction that MS taking.. i honestly don't know why. I know it's still very early but this new focus by MS is nothing to be excited by as a gamer imo. There is a clear focus on being the all-around system and not the system with additional perks like the PS4 is shown to be. Infinity/720 is going a completely new route compared to what the 360 stated at. PS3 to PS4 seems to be adding on to the initial focus.

Regardless of how people look at the Sales portion i think it says wonders how the PS3 gained so much ground after a year gap. Not to mention somewhat flak due to price tag. I think the whole psn and Rrod fiascos counteract each other. To be around 2 million(i think) behind after all that its says wonders to how much ground they have gained throughout this generation.

Damn taking shots already. I love the interviews that come out of generation beginnings. There are so many great points that are brought up. There are many that say they like the new direction that MS taking.. i honestly don't know why. I know it's still very early but this new focus by MS is nothing to be excited by as a gamer imo. There is a clear focus on being the all-around system and not the system with additional perks like the PS4 is shown to be. Infinity/720 is going a completely new route compared to what the 360 stated at. PS3 to PS4 seems to be adding on to the initial focus. Regardless of how people look at the Sales portion i think it says wonders how the PS3 gained so much ground after a year gap. Not to mention somewhat flak due to price tag. I think the whole psn and Rrod fiascos counteract each other. To be around 2 million(i think) behind after all that its says wonders to how much ground they have gained throughout this generation.

Lol. I know my estimates are off but it is a common know fact that the PS3 is still behind in sales. His numbers are off but he does bring up some good points. He must be going of those shipped plus sold numbers.

Lol. I know my estimates are off but it is a common know fact that the PS3 is still behind in sales. His numbers are off but he does bring up some good points. He must be going of those shipped plus sold numbers.

What's the difference here between shipped and sold. You guys make this almost your first priority whenever a console announces how many units they sold, then some of you guys say "they were shipped".

Here is the thing, if the units/consoles were shipped, they were already sold. In order for them to be shipped they have to be sold. What that means is that those stores already purchased those units, all that money now is in the hands of the company. o.O lmfao

What's the difference here between shipped and sold. You guys make this almost your first priority whenever a console announces how many units they sold, then some of you guys say "they were shipped".

Here is the thing, if the units/consoles were shipped, they were already sold. In order for them to be shipped they have to be sold. What that means is that those stores already purchased those units, all that money now is in the hands of the company. o.O lmfao

I don't like to get into sales debates believe me. They never end well. I'm not one of those people that want to argue it until the end of the day either. The way I look at it. I got into a store I see just say 4 360s and 4 PS3s. Sony is counting those as sold as an indicator as userbase. Based on MS's sales those 4 360s are not sold. Yes they have been sold to wholesalers but not to the consumers. A product can be a massive flop but there are 10 million units shipped to meet a demand that was assumed was there. Just a bit misleading. Imagine if the company that released that product was touting that they shipped 10 million units and never discerned the difference between that and sold to consumers. Say they sold 1 million to consumers. This is all a theoretical situation and no where near is it comparable to Sony's situation but that is my logic on it. Yes they got the money from wholesalers but that doesn't mean the product is a big success. Imagine if MS did this for 360 sales with shipped to Japan.

I would say though with it so close they are practically even considering the year jump. Sony possibly having the slight edge considering how close they are with a year gap. Like I said I don't want to argue this all day. I'm open to your counter completely. That is just my outlook on it. No matter what no one can discredit the PS3 is a huge success with all the hurdles that it had to over come. Consumer shock by price, early on lack of support, and PSN fiasco. Yet here we are and they are nipping at the heels or dead even with them. How ever you look at it.

The fact is, if you aren't a gamer, you shouldn't be spending so much money on a games console, buy an Apple TV or something. It's not the casuals who stand out in the cold, in the middle of the night, for a holiday launch of a playstation. I'm glad that Sony knows what its fans want, and that Jack (gotta love the guy) is brave enough to outright admit a strategy of "gamers first" when the entire industry would rather have your next console also function as a toaster. THIS is why I'm a part of the Playstation Nation, and this is why Sony will get my money in the next generation as well.

The fact is, if you aren't a gamer, you shouldn't be spending so much money on a games console, buy an Apple TV or something. It's not the casuals who stand out in the cold, in the middle of the night, for a holiday launch of a playstation. I'm glad that Sony knows what its fans want, and that Jack (gotta love the guy) is brave enough to outright admit a strategy of "gamers first" when the entire industry would rather have your next console also function as a toaster. THIS is why I'm a part of the Playstation Nation, and this is why Sony will get my money in the next generation as well.

I agree and me too. However, I really really really hope that Sony is smart about pricing...

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